Of the three Revelation passages given for funerals, this is the one chosen most often:

I saw a new heaven and a new earth.The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God.He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.The victors will inherit these gifts, and I shall be their God, and they will be my own.

Not only will God will God do away with tears, pain, and death, but also that oldest adversary, chaos (cf. Rev 21:2; the sea). The end of tears is a longtime promise of God (Isaiah 25:8ff, and so many other passages).

This is a message of optimism–for the believers who first heard this in the late first century, as well as for mourners today. At its root, this is a message of grace. Those who have been judged as faithful will be comforted, satisfied, and will inherit the grace of eternal life as adopted sisters and brothers of Christ. It’s a good and true message, knowing that mourners and deceased will be reunited in a restored creation. An easy message to preach, in a time of extreme difficulty and grief especially.

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About catholicsensibility

Todd and his family live in Ames, Iowa. He serves a Catholic parish of both Iowa State students and town residents.

3 Responses to Funeral Lectionary: Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7

I llove this message of hope. My precious mother just passed. I know she will light up the heavens with her beautiful soul. It is easier to read this passage of joy then the dirge like tone of so many others. If we believe wht we say we believe, This is a time of spiritual bliss. It comforts me so much to think of her happiness.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve a parish in music ministry.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.